𝕃𝕚𝕞𝕓𝕠 [LEE KNOW]

16

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It was late at night, almost midnight when Yumi arrived at the space. She had low hopes knowing that the space was probably already closed seeing as it was already so late into the night. Even with the low possibility of being open, she still took the risk than regretting it at all. Yumi already made that mistake once, and she had no plans on repeating it all over again. Not when she has finally learned her lesson.

She did not want to spend time inside their dorms. She loved her members, dearly. But despite the love she feels, Yumi did not want to burden them with her problem. This was the only escape she can think of. Probably the safest escape she can think of. It was also the closest thing she felt to comfort.

Well, it might not be the safest. There were several risks regarding the fact that paparazzies can and will literally take a photo of her. As if that wasn't enough, there are also sasaengs that do not understand the concept of the word privacy. She did not know whether there were cameras on the sight, if the cameras and eyes were following her. She was clueless but she took the risk.

To her surprise, when she arrived at the space, the lights were still on. She knew she has a low chance of entering knowing how secure the place is. Yumi also have no connections anymore, other than the owner, Taemin himself. She also doesn't think that the new admins recognize her or knew her past with the place.

Fortunately, when she arrived, she saw Taemin at the entrance. She calmed down as she realized that Taemin recognized her. Walking forward, she saw as the man's face lit up. "Good to know you're finally here." His tone suggesting the fact that he was waiting for her.

"How do you know I'm coming here?" She asked, knowing the fact that she did not imply anything about coming back to the space.

Taemin smiled at her, his jolly face and bright smile making her feel at ease. "Believe me, you're not the first idol who came here."

Yumi still did not understand what he meant. Nonetheless, he trusted the man and just nodded.

"Come in, it's cold here." He chuckled.

"I thought the space was closed during evenings?" She asked.

Taemin hummed, placing his hands inside his pockets as they finally entered the familiar place. "Well, we only said those to the dancers to make sure that the evening is free for people like us - idols who want to run away - and to avoid other dancers from seeing such people. For safety and privacy reasons."

Yumi almost did not believe him. "So why was the space empty when I left? I remember it was evening as well."

"Yumi." He chuckled. "Do you remember seeing Lily?"

"Yes- oh." Yumi paused. "So that's why she was still here. Was she about to open the space?" She asked.

Taemin nodded. "We were surprised when she urgently texted the group chat and told us about the delay. It caused a lot of confusions and questions. Shall we sit?" Taemin urged her to sit.

"Group chat? I thought we call each other as nicknames, and we weren't to have any contact with their personal information?" Just like when she first entered the space, she was filled with questions and confusion. After spending years in the space, she thought she knew everything she needed to know about it. Only to be greeted by new information and more questions.

"We're idols, Yumi. I know for sure that the moment you remove your masks, you are bound to be recognized and there would be no use to use nicknames and stuff." Taemin nodded.

"Unfortunately, since you weren't in the chat, you weren't informed about the fact that the space will not be open until next week." Taemin smiled. "Don't worry, I'll add you in the group chat."

"Why didn't you just add me beforehand? You already have my personal number." Yumi asked.

Taemin shook his head. "Because there was still an uncertainty that you won't come back here."

Yumi squinted her eyes at him. "Who knew Taemin here is capable of keeping such secrets. People know you're scary with information. Like the Tom Holland of kpop." She tried to chuckle happily, but it ended up dry.

"Exactly." Taemin nodded. "Nobody would expect someone like me to rule this place because of my character."

"You are the mastermind." She nodded in realization.

"If you recognize some idols or get close to them, feel free to interact with them outside. However, the way the fans and media react will no longer be my control." Taemin warmed her.

"Don't worry, Taemin. I will pay attention to that." She assured.

Next week, an entire week before she can go back to her home. Sighing, she went back to their dorms. Fortunately, the other members are still asleep and did not notice the fact that she snuck out and met up with their sunbae. She did not know whether she can stay up late to answer her unnie's questions as to why she was hanging out with a second gen idol when she was a fourth gen idol.

Now that was some headline material for Koreaboo.

When she came to work the next day, she immediately began stretching in their practice room as their trainer informed them about the upcoming collab stage for SBS. There were going to be unit stages with different other groups.

"Karina will be working with a member of Enhypen." She informed them.

"Giselle will have a unit with some members of NCT while Winter will have a unit with some female vocalists of our entertainment."

"Ningning will work with a YG entertainment artist."

"Why is JYP not included? We already have SM, YG and Hybe." She asked. It was a valid question, and she knew the collab stage will leave such an impact to the fans.

The trainer smiled at her. "You will work with a JYP entertainment artist. With the rise of the drama called 'King the Land' staring kpop's original visual, Yuna and one of the beastly idols, Junho, fans have been repeatedly watching their past performance of the song called 'Señorita'."

"So I will recreate it with another JYP artist? Which group?" Yumi asked.

The trainer just gave her a look that implied that she must guess it. "I don't think that it's still 2pm seeing as they are literally much older than me. No offense." Ningning asked

Chuckles can be heard upon her remark.

"I also doubt that it's Got7 when they literally worked hard to escape the company. Such a waste of talent for JYP. I miss them I hope they come back soon." Giselle added.

Yumi paused as she analyzed which possible groups she would work with.

"This group dominates the 4th generation of kpop alongside you guys." The trainer hinted.

Yumi turned towards her at her, still not having any idea knowing the fact that she now barely knew anything about kpop groups.

"Stray Kids."